Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on this issue. More than 1 million people in Ireland work in the small and medium-sized enterprise, SME, sector and in effect, it comprises the backbone of the Irish economy. People who start up businesses and who try to create employment have vision and the Government will not be found wanting when it comes to supporting them. Figures released by the Small Firms Association yesterday point to the fact that SMEs are doing everything they can to remain competitive and it is the Government's responsibility to assist them in this regard. I assure small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as people with the vision to make a difference in the community, the economy and this country that they will have the Government's support. When speaking with SME owners a number of issues repeatedly arise, the most frequent of which concerns the difficulty of securing credit. The Government clearly is taking difficult measures to ensure that credit will begin to flow and there are signs that this is beginning to happen.

A particular issue that has been brought to my attention by many businesses in Dublin South-East concerns rents. In recent months, several traders have contacted me about attempts to increase commercial rents even though trade has decreased dramatically in some cases. The most disappointing aspect is that many of the property owners are the financial institutions or the asset management arms of financial institutions, which are availing of the Government's bank guarantee scheme. I also was disappointed to learn this week of the difficulties being experienced by traders under the remit of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust. I have called for the city manager of Dublin City Council to take an active role in ensuring that a realistic approach to current rents is taken. Temple Bar Cultural Trust is a not-for-profit organisation under the control of Dublin City Council and although it was set up to promote the area as both a cultural hub and as a bustling thriving small business precinct, virtually since its inception it has failed to understand the needs of small businesses, with the exception of the pub trade, which traditionally has had a disproportionate influence in the Temple Bar area.

In addition, the new Labour and Fine Gael-controlled city council should ensure that Dublin City Council reduces the cost burden on small and medium-sized enterprises. Both rents and rates must be frozen, at the very minimum, in Dublin City Council.

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